Daily Readings - Tue Sep 17 2024
1 Corinthians
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
Luke
11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out--the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."14Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.16They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people."17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful reminders of our unity in Christ and the transformative power of compassion. The first reading from 1 Corinthians emphasizes that the Church is one body with many parts, each gifted differently but equally essential. Paul reminds us that these gifts are not for personal glory but for the common good, urging us to strive for the greater gifts that build up the community. This passage calls us to recognize our unique roles within the body of Christ and to use our talents selflessly for the benefit of all.
The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid scene of Jesus' compassion. As He encounters a widow mourning her only son, He is moved by her sorrow and performs a miracle, restoring life to her child. This act not only demonstrates Jesus' divine authority but also reveals His deep empathy for those suffering. The crowd's reaction—fear and glorification of God—reminds us that God's power is often revealed in moments of human vulnerability. This passage invites us to trust in God's providence, even in the face of death and loss, and to approach life with the same compassion Jesus showed.
Together, these readings challenge us to live as the body of Christ, valuing our diversity and using our gifts to serve others. They remind us that our faith is not just about individual holiness but about building up the community and bringing hope to those around us. Let us ask ourselves: How am I using my gifts to serve others? How can I show the same compassion Jesus showed to the widow? May we strive to live as one body, united in love and service, and may we trust in God's power to bring life out of death.